Apparatus for operating vehicle controls



H. w. STRUCK 6,586

July 2, 1940.

Filed June 5, 1939 INVENTOR fighrg W. Sfruck BY A J ATTORNEYS Patented July 2, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE APPARATUS FOR OPERATING VEHICLE CONTROLS My present invention relates to a novel control for motor vehicles and the like and involves certain improvements on the motor vehicle control as set forth in my co-pending application,

Serial No. 211,555, filed June 3, 1938.

My control system as set forth in my copending application relates to the control of power employed to actuate the brakes and the clutch from a centralized control, preferably the conventional accelerator or throttle valve operating lever. The control permits the brakes to be engaged automatically when the throttle valve is closed and provides for the automatic disengagement of the clutch when the brakes are enhas been reduced to a predetermined minimum. Preferably, automatic disengagement is likewise predicated on the vehicle being in gear.

While the control thus broadly outlined has many advantages, I have found that under certain conditions, a certain degree of manual control is desirable in order to render my device sufliciently flexible for all operating conditions. This results from the fact that the release of the brakes and the engagement of the clutch are automatically efiected so that the clutch cannot become engaged until the brakes are released. Under some conditions, it is desirable to-follow the conventional practice of permitting some degree of clutch engagement before the brakes are released. For example, I have found that with the control set forth in my co-pending application that under certain conditions, such as when starting a vehicle on an upgrade, it is necessary to use the hand brake to prevent the vehicle from rolling backwards if conventional driving practices are to be followed.

Because of the rather wide range of conditions that may be encountered in starting from rest, I have found that there is no simple and acceptable way of overcoming this problem automatically. For that reason, I have provided means operated coincidentally with the clutch pedal to permit the operator to meet the wide range of conditions in a conventional manner rendering the automatic operation of the clutch impossible. 1

Because power is employed to operate the clutch, I have also employed means by which the clutch can be operated by means of a control on the gear shift lever arranged so that the gear shift and clutch operation are centralized.

In accordance with my invention as set forth in my co-pending application, automatic clutch o5 disengagement becomes possible whenever the gaged and when the speed of the motor vehicle brakes are applied to any degree. For that reason, it is an essential of my present invention that the control of clutch operation by the operator from the clutch pedal or from the gear shift lever. be operable regardless of whether or 5 not the brakes are applied. This permits the brakes and the clutch to be automatically actuated and it likewise permits the brakes to be actuated independently of the clutch and the clutch to be operated independl0 ently of the operation of the brakesif desired.

Thus, I am able to provide a control by which the operation of motor vehicles is subjected to an automatic control adaptable to a wide range of conditions, but which may be subjected to manual control to render it adaptable to all operating conditions.

In the drawing I have shown an embodiment of my invention from which its several features and advantages will be readily apparent. 20

In the drawing:

Fig. l is a schematic partly sectioned view of my invention, and I Fig. 2 is a fragmentary plan view of the clutch pedal control. 26

In Fig. 1, I have indicated at I a brake rod operated by a diaphragm unit 2 and at 3 a clutch rod. I have shown the clutch pedal 4 pivotally mounted at 5 in control of the clutch rod 3. The clutch rod 3 may be actuated by the pedal 30 4 or by a diaphragm unit 6. The link I operatively connected to the diaphragm unit 6 and the clutch pedal 4 have a slotted connection 8 to per mit the clutch to be manually operated without unnecessary movement ofthe diaphragm. 35

Although, as is more fully set forth in my copending application, Serial No. 211,555, the operation of the brakes and the clutch is effected I by any suitable power medium, vacuum is used as the operating power in the description of 40 my present apparatus. At '9, I have indicated the intake manifold and at I0 a suitable tank from which the conduit II is in communication with the diaphragm unit 2 and controlled by the valve 12.

The valve I2 is operated by the accelerator mdal or manually operable throttle I3 which has a slotted interconnection M with the throttle valve link l5 to permit the throttle to move from the position B in which the throttle valve I6 50 is closed into the position A in which the valve I2 is opened so that the brakes are actuated. The valve I2 is under the control of a spring 'H and is cut away as at l2 so that when the accelerator pedal 5 is, depressed; the cut-away l2 connects the diaphragm unit 2 to atmosphere.

The throttle I3 is pivotally connected to a link pivotally connected to-a crank I! to slidably engage the pivot 20 on the support 2|. A lever 22 is pivotally mounted on the support 2| and is pivotally connected to the link 23 in control of the valve I2, the lever 22 and the crank I! having a pivotal interconnection 24 over the rear of the slot I9 on the crank l9 sothat when the accelerator I3 -is depressed intermediate the positions B and D, the link |8 is moved, moving the lever 22 until the pivot 24 registers with the pivot operated by the solenoid 21, the circuit to which includes the battery 28 and the ignition switch As set forth in my co-pending application, the brakes of a motor vehicle are controlled by the accelerator pedal 3 whenactuated by the spring H. In order that the clutch may be disengaged automatically under suitable circumstances, the automatic disengagement of the clutch is possible only when the brakes are applied and a prede-' termined vehicle speed is attained. Preferably;

automatic disengagement is also possible only when the vehicle is in gear.

To accomplish this result, I provide in the circuit to the solenoid a switch 3 normally held open by the spring 3|, but adapted to be closed by the diaphragm unit 32 connected to the conduit intermediate the valve l2 and the diaphragm unit 2 so that the circuit cannot be closed until the valve I2 is open. A switch 33 controlled by the governor 34 permits the circuit to the solenoid 21 to be closed at a predetermined low vehicle speed. Attention is also directed to the switch 35 in the circuit to the solenoid 21 adapted to be closed when the drive and driven shafts (not shown) are connected for forward or reverse drives.

In accordance withmy present invention, the circuit to the solenoid 21 is subjected to manual control in order to render the operation of my invention fully adaptable to all possible driving conditions.

Because I have found that there is no simple and satisfactory automatic way of making the clutch engage satisfactorily for all conditions when starting the vehicle from rest, I have provided means whereby the circuit may be manually opened to permit manual operation of the clutch pedal 4. Preferably, this result is accomplished coincidentally to the manual operation of the clutch pedal 4 and in order'to accomplish this result, I provide on the clutch pedal 4 a normally closed spring switch 36, the spring arm 31 which is adapted to be opened by the insulated arm contacting portion 38 of the tread switch member 33 hinged to thepedal 4 as at 4|]. When the operator places his foot on the clutch pedal 4,'

theportion 38 of the tread member 39 moves the arm 31 opening the switch 36 and making automatic operation of the clutch impossible Thus, the clutch may be manually operated by the operator when necessary as the service brakes V are released by movement of the accelerator pedal l3. It will be appreciated that the switch 36 may be of any conventional construction provlded that its resiliency is sufllcient to close the circuit and to raise the tread member 39 when the operator's foot is removed.

Because power operated means are employed to disengage the clutch, I employ a switch 4| mounted on the gear shiftlever 42 to permit the operator to use the power operated means to operate the clutch when a gear shift is to be made. The switch 4|v is of the type normally 'held open by a spring and has one terminal grounded and it and the switch 36 are connected into the electric circuit intermediate the solenoid 21 and the switch 35. Preferably, the switch 36 is disposed in the circuit intermediate the solenoid 21 and the switch 4| in order that none of the other switches may be effective when the clutch is manually operated. It is to be noted that the manual control of the clutch through the switches 36 and ,4| does not impose any limitationson the automatic operation of the brakes. While the operation of the brakes and the clutch may be entirely automatic, the clutch may be controlled by the operator in a conventional manner as long as the switch 36 is open. This manual control does not affect the'automatic operation of the brakes which are not released until the accelerator pedal I3 is moved from the position A to the position B.

Because there is no necessity for maintaining the clutch disengaged by the power operated diaphragm unit 6 when the gear shift lever 42 is neutrally positioned, I preferably employ the switch 35 adaptedto be closed whenever the gear shift lever 42 is positioned for any forward or reverse drive. Thus, when the gear shift lever 42 is neutrally positioned automatic disengagement of the clutch is impossible.

The switch 4|, however, permits the clutch to be disengaged at any time unless the clutch pedal 4 is manually operatedto render all the other swltchesinefiective through coincidental operation of the switch 36. Thus, when the gear shift lever 42 is being moved in shifting gears and the switch 4| is employed to disengage the clutch,

means are employed for disengaging the clutch under circumstances in which the automatic dis- 7 engagement of the clutch is impossible, although when any shift is completed and the switch 4| is no longer manually operated the desired possibility of automatic clutch disengagement is restored.

,The relation of the switches .36 and. 4| are, therefore, of considerable importance in the most desirable embodiment of'my invention and with the switch 36 operated with the pedal 4, my control is adapted to meet all possible operating conditions.

In accordance with my present invention, the

automatic operation of the' brakes and the clutch by a common control, also employed to actuate the throttle valve, may be subjected to a manual domination under circumstances where automatic operation of the clutch is not consistent with desired operating conditions and where the ease of operation may be increased by the manual control of the power available automatically to increase the ease and safety of motor vehicle operation.

What I therefore claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: v

1. In a motor vehicle control system having a transmission, a throttle actuating member, brakes, a clutch having a manually operable pedal, first power operable means to actuate said gage said clutch, a source of power, means to connect said first power operable means and said source, an operator control, means connecting said operator control to said throttle actuating member to P rmit limited movement of said operator control independently of said throttle actuating member, means in control of said firstnamed connecting means to cause said connecting means to be actuated during said limited movement only, and means to connect said second power operable means to said source, operating means for said last named connecting means, control means to render said last named operating means operative when said first po'wer operable means is connected to said source, and a manual control operable coincidentally to the manual operation of said clutch pedal to render said controlling means ineffective.

2. In a motor vehicle control system having a transmission including a gear shift lever, a throttle actuating member, brakes, a clutch, first power operable means to actuate said brakes, second power operable means to disengage said clutch, a source of power, means to connect said first power operable means and saidsource, an;

operator control, means connecting said operator control to said throttle actuating member to permit limited movement of said operator control independently of said throttle actuating member, means in control of said first-named connecting means to cause said connecting means to be actuated during said limited movement only,

means to connect said second power operable means to said source, operating means for said last named connecting control means, means to render said' last named operating means operative when said first power operable means is connected to said source, and a manual control on said gear shift lever adapted to permit said last named operating means to be operative when said first power operable means and said, source are not connected.

3. In a motor vehicle control system having a transmission including a gear shift lever, a throttle actuating member, brakes, a clutch having a manually operable pedal, first power operable means to actuate said brakes, second power operable means to disengage said clutch, a source of power, means to connect said first power operable means and said'source, an operator control, means connecting said operator control to said throttle actuating member to permit limited movement of said operator control independently of said throttle actuating member, means in control of said first-named connecting means to cause said'connecting means to be actuated during said limited movement only, means to connect said second power operable means to said source, operating means for said last named connecting control means, means to render said last named operating means operative when said first power operable means is connected to said source, a manual control operable coincidentally to the manual operation of said clutch pedal to render said actuating means ineffective, and a manual control on said gear shift lever adapted ,to' permit saidlast named operating means to be operative when said first power operable means and said source are not connected.

4. In a motor vehicle control system having a transmission, a throttle actuating member, brakes, a clutch having a manually operable pedal, first power operable means to actuate said brakes, second power operable means, to disengage said clutch, a source of power, means to connect said first power operable means and said source, an operator control, means connecting said operator control to said throttle actuating member to permit limited movement of saidoperator control independently of said throttle actuating member, means in control of said firstnamed connecting means to cause said connectin'g means to be actuated during said limited transmission, a throttle actuating member, brakes,

a clutch having a manually operable pedal, first power operable means to actuate said brakes, second power operable means to disengage said clutch, a source of power, means to connect said first power operable means and said source, an

operator control, means connecting said operator control to said throttle actuating member to permit limited movement of said operator control independently of said throttle actuating member, means in control ofsaid first-named connecting means to cause said connecting means to be actuated during said limited movement only, means to connect said second power operable means to said source, a solenoid to operate said last named connecting meansran electric circuit including said solenoid, a normally open switch in said circuit, means to close said switch when said first power operable means are connected to said source, speed responsive means to complete said circuit when the vehicle speed reaches a predetermined minimum, and a second switch in said circuit, saidswitch being normally closed, and means actuated when said clutch pedal is manually operated-to open said second switch to rendersaid first switch and said speed responsive means inefiective.

6. In a motor vehicle control system having a transmission, a throttle actuating member,

brakes, a clutch having a manually operable pedal,

means in control of said first-named connectingmeans to cause said connecting means to be actu ated during said limited movement only, means to connect saidsecond power operable means to said source, a solenoid to operate said last named connecting means, an electric circuit including said solenoid, a normally open switch in said circuit, means to close said switch when said first power operable means are connected to said source, a tread member pivotally carried by said clutch pedaLa second switch in said circuit, resilient means normally maintaining said second switch closed, and said tread member including a portion in contact with said switch so that whenever said clutch pedal is manually operated said second switch is opened and said first switch is rendered ineflective.

"I. In a motor vehicle control system having a transmission, a throttle actuating member, brakes, a clutch having a manually operable pedal, first power operable means to actuate said brakes, second power operable means to disengage said clutch, a source of power, means to connect said first power operable means and said source, an operator control, means connecting said operator control to said throttle actuating member to permit limited movement of said operator control independently of said throttle actuating member, means in control of said firstnamed connecting means to cause said connecting means to be actuated during said limited movement only, and means to connect said second power operable means to said source, operating means for said last named connecting means and means to actuate said last named operating means when said first power operable means is connected to said source, first manually operable means to render said actuating means ineffective and second manually operable means to render said last named operating means operative, both of said manually operable means being effective whether or not said first power operable means means in control of said first-named connecting means to cause said connecting means to be actuated during said limited movement only, and means to connect said second power operable means to said source, operating means for said last named connecting means, and control means to render said last named operating means operative when said first power operable means is connected to said source, speed responsive means to actuate said last named operating means when the vehicle speed has reached a predetermined minimum, first manually operable means to render both of said controlling means ineffective and second manually operable means to render said last named operating means operative, both of said manually operable means being efiective whether or not said first power operable means and said source are connected and regardless of the vehicle speed.

9. In a motor vehicle control system having a transmission, a throttle actuating member, brakes, a clutch having a manually operable pedal, first power operable means to actuate said brakes, second power operable means to disengage said clutch, a source of power, means to connect said first power operable means and said source, an operator control, means connecting said operator control to said throttle actuating member to permit limited movement of said operator control independently of said throttle actuating member, means in control of saidfirst named connecting means to cause said connecting means to be actuated during said limited movement only, means to connect said second power operable means to said source, operating means for said last named connecting control means, means to render said last named operating means operative when said first power operable means is connected to said source and a predetermined minimum vehicle speed is attained, first manually operable means to render said actuating means ineffective and second manually operable means to render said last named operating means operative, both of said manually operable means being effective independently whether or not said first power operpower operable means to disengage said clutch,

a source of power, means to connect said first power operable means and said source, an operator'control, means connecting said operator control to said throttle actuating member to permit limited movement of said operator control independently of said throttle actuating member, means in control oi: said first-named conheating means to cause said connecting means to be actuated during said limited movement only, means to connect said second power operable means to said source, a solenoid to operate said last named connecting means, a circuit including said solenoid, a normally closed switch in said circuit, and a pair of parallel circuits, a normally open switch in each of said parallel circuits, means to close one of said normally open switches when said first power operable means are connected to said source, the other of said switches being mounted on said gear shift lever, and means to open said normally closed switch coincidentally to manual operation of said clutch pedal.

11. In a motor vehicle control system having a transmission including a gear shift lever, a throttlev actuating member, brakes, a clutch having a manually operable pedal, first power operable means to actuate said brakes, second power operable means to disengage said clutch, a source of power, means to connect said first power operable means and said source, an. operator control, means connecting said operator control to said throttle actuating member to permit limited movement of said operator control independently of said throttle actuating member, means in control of said first-named connecting means to cause said connecting means to be actuated during said limited movement only, means to connect said second power operable means to said source, a solenoid to operate said last named connecting means, a circuit including said solenoid, a normallyclosed switch, and a first and second parallel circuit, a normally open switch in said first and second parallel circuits, and a second switch in said first parallel circuit, and speed responsive means opening said second switch when the vehicle speed exceeds a predetermined minimum, means to closesaid normally open switch in said first parallel circuit when said first power operable means are connected to said source, the normally open switch in said second parallel circuit being mounted on said gear shift lever, and means to open said normally closed switch coincidentally first power operable means to actuate said brakes, second power operable means to disengage said clutch, a source of power, means to connect said first power operable means and said source, an operator control, means connecting said operator control to said throttle actuating member to permit limited movement of said operator control independently of said throttle actuating member, means in control of said first-named connecting means to cause said connecting means to be actuated during said limited movement only, means to connect said second power operable means to said source, operating means for said last named connecting means, and control means to render. said last named operatingmeans operative when said first power operable means is connected to said source and the vehicle speed is at a predetermined minimum, means rendering said actuating means ineflective when said transmission lever is neutrally positioned, a manually operable control to render said last named operating means operative independently of the operation of said first power operable means, the vehicle speed, and of the position of said transmission control lever.

13. In a motor vehiclecontrol system having a transmission and a transmission control lever, a throttle actuating member, brakes, a clutch having a manually operable pedal, first power operable means to actuate said brakes, second power operable means to disengage said clutch, a source of power, means to connect said first power operable means and said source, an oper-,

means is connected to said source and the 'speed of the vehicle is at a predetermined minimum, means rendering said actuating means ineffective when said transmission lever is neutrally positioned, a manually operable control to render said last named operating means operative independently of the operation of said first power operable means, the vehicle speed, and of the position of said transmission control lever, and means operable coincidentally to the manual operation of said clutch pedal to render said means actuating said last named operating means inefiective.

14. In a motor vehicle control system having a transmission and a transmission control lever, a throttle actuating member, brakes, a clutch, first power operable means to actuate said brakes, second power operable means to disengage said clutch, a source power, means to connect said first power operable means and said source, an

operator control, means connecting said operator control to said'throttle actuating member -to permit limited movement of said operator control independently of said throttle actuating member, means in control of said first-named connecting means to cause said connecting means to be actuated during said limited movement only, means to connect said second power operable means to said source, a solenoid to operate said last named connecting means, a circuit in-, cluding said solenoid, a pair of parallel circuits connected to said circuit, a triplicate of switches in one of said parallel circuits, a normally open first switch, means to close said first switch when 1 said first power operable means are connected to said source, means to close the second of said switches when the speed of the vehicle is at a predetermined minimum and the third of said Switches being open when said transmission lever is neutrally positioned, and a switch in said other parallel circuit, said last named switch being manually operable to permit said solenoid to become operativeindependently of said switches in said first named parallel circuit and 25 independently of the operation of said first power operable means, the vehicle speed, and the position of said transmission lever.

- 15. In a motor vehicle control system having a transmission and a transmission control lever, a throttle actuating member, brakes, a clutch,

first power operable means to actuate said second power operable means to said source, a

solenoid to actuate said last named connecting means, a circuit including saidsolenoid, said circuit including a master switch, a pair of parallel circuits connected to said circuit, a triplicate of switches in one of said parallel circuits,

means topclose the first of said triplicate of w switches when said first power operable means are connected to said source, means to close the second of said switches when the vehicle speed is at a predetermined minimum. and the third of said switches. sion lever is neut lly positioned, and a switch in said other'parallel circuit, said last named switch being manuallyoperable to permit said last named parallel circuit to be closed independently of said switches in said first named parallel circuit and independently of the operation of said-first power operable means, the vehicle speed and the position of said transmission lever. v

HENRY W. S'I'RUCK.

ing open when said transmis- 

